For more information:
847-996-6800
Music. Food. Fun.
Little Bear Lake at Century Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is Century Park located?
Century Park is located at 1001 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills, IL. The park is approximately 3 miles west of I-94 and just north or Rt 60/Townline Rd.
Click HERE for a map/directions.
Q. What is the cost of admission?
$5 per person. (Children 5 & under are admitted free.)
Q. Do vendors accept Visa / Mastercard?
No, but there is an ATM directly across the street at Vernon Hills Bank & Trust. All food & non-alcoholic beverage sales are cash only.
Q. Do I need to buy tickets for alcoholic beverages?
Yes, we will only accept tickets for alcoholic beverages. Tickets can be purchased with cash only.
Q. What is the price for a full slab of ribs?
A full slab of ribs will cost $20, with a half slab for $12. Each vendor will also sell a sample portion for $6. All prices are tax-included.
Q. Will there be any other food available other than ribs?
While the focus of the event will be the ribs, each vendor will also carry sandwiches, sides, and select beverages. There will be six area BBQ restaurants cooking up their specialties. In addition to the rib vendors, there will be a sweet corn vendor and a dessert vendor. Click HERE to see the 2012 list of professional rib vendors.
Q. Where can I park?
Free parking & free shuttle service is available at the Westfield Hawthorn Shopping Center a few blocks east of the festival. Do not park in business parking lots adjacent to the event site. Police will be towing illegally parked vehicles. Click HERE for parking information.
Q. Where is handicapped parking or drop-off?
There will be a limited number of parking spots located in the southbound lanes on Lakeview Parkway. Please let one of our traffic attendants know that you need access to the handicapped parking area.
Q. What are the hours of operation?
6:00pm - 12:00am* on Friday 8/23
3:00pm - 12:00am* on Saturday 8/24
* Alcohol sales will end at 11:30pm each night.
Q. Can I bring my children to the ribfest?
All ages are welcome to attend. Children 5 & under are admitted free. The focus of the event, however, will be geared more towards the adult audience. There will not be a children’s activity area or carnival rides.
Q. Can I bring in a cooler or outside food?
No coolers may be brought into Little Bear Ribfest. No outside food or beverages, other than baby food can be brought inside the park.
Q. Can I bring my dog to the ribfest?
No. Only approved service animals will be allowed into the park.
Q. Does the park close if it rains?
No, the ribfest will remain open if it rains, but will close temporarily during periods of lightning. Ribfest works with the local emergency management weather team to monitor the weather approaching ribfest. If the ribfest does need to close temporarily, all guests will be asked to leave the park at that time. When the lightning is safely past the park, the ribfest will reopen.